He Will Guide You in All Truth

The promise of the Holy Spirit’s new covenant advent was prophesied at different points during the history of ethnic Israel while under the old covenant. Jesus added to that prophecy, especially during His farewell discourse in the Gospel of John.

In John 14–16, we learn that the Holy Spirit is sent from heaven, from the Father and the Son (Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). His mission, according to Jesus, was to testify about Jesus and to glorify Him (Jn 15:26; 16:14). In this, the Spirit of truth bears witness that the world — in all of its sin, bad righteousness, and bad judgment — was wrong about Jesus. The world is still wrong about Him.

The truth about the world is ugly. The world is exposed for being the domain of darkness, the dominion of Satan (Acts 26:18; Col 1:13). Three times in John’s Gospel, the devil is called, “the ruler of this world” (Acts 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). The culture of death and destruction, in this present evil age, is evidence of the evil one’s inspiration and influence. The tempter continues to lead spiritually blind people into the pit (Mt 15:14; Lk 6:39; 1 Cor 2:14).

The Apostle John contrasts the father of lies with the Spirit of truth (Jn 8:44). God is true; and every man is a liar because they do as their father, the devil (1 Jn 3:10). Jesus declared that He was the truth, being the Word of God enfleshed. Jesus always spoke and did what was from God the Father (Jn 8:29; 12:49; 14:10). Jesus did truth in every word and way. He was truth personified because He was/is God incarnate (Jn 1:14; 14:6).

In part, God’s plan was to send His Son into the world to show the world how it rejects Yahweh. Even His own people rejected Jesus Messiah (Jn 1:11). They were a party to killing the Son of God, who dwelt among them, doing good and speaking truth (Acts 10:38).

In sending the Spirit of Christ, the local program went global (Acts 1:8). The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17), so it does what comes most naturally. The world sins in every form of lust. Its version of righteousness is corrupt. Its judgments are unjust. Without God, the world is hopeless (Eph 2:12). With the god of this world blinding his worshippers (2 Cor 4:4), they remain helpless on the wide way leading to destruction (Mt 7:13).

The Helper helps the children of God in the same way Jesus helped His sheep who were without a shepherd (Ps 23; Jn 10). In feeding (spiritual food) and protecting His disciples (Jn 17:12), by teaching and being present with them, so the indwelling Spirit teaches and never leaves each one He has caused to be born again (Jn 3:1–8; 14:17, 26).

The discipline to be learned from the Spirit of Christ is Christ, who showed His disciples God the Father. In perfect submission, the Holy Spirit — like Jesus — never takes the initiative nor speaks of His own accord (Jn 16:13). Instead, He takes of Christ and discloses it to each believer for our edification (Jn 16:13–15). Thus, we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).

The Spirit-filled are Spirit-led (Acts 13:52; Rom 8:14). He makes us know the path of life (Ps 16:11; Prv 10:17), the way of God and of Christ. The written Word, the Bible is the guidebook. The Spirit illumines the truth, by giving light from Scripture (Ps 119:105; Eph 1:18). The precious and magnificent promises found in God’s Word are fulfilled, that is, they are “yes” and “amen” in Christ (1 Cor 1:20).

The truth, as it is in Jesus, is where the Spirit guides the people of God (Jn 16:13; Eph 4:21). Only in Him do we enter and find God’s Sabbath rest (Heb 4). We discover Christ as our all in all because He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36). The Spirit-filled student of the Bible is never disappointed in what the Spirit shows him or her. The Holy Spirit’s disclosure of the Person and work of Jesus Christ is food for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus Christ is the Lord, our righteousness (1 Jn 2:1).

Learning that Jesus has paid-in-full and cancelled our debt of sin is liberating (Jn 8:32–36; Col 2:14). The guilt and shame of sin fade in light of the beauty of His holiness. We preach Him and not ourselves. We boast in Him, having no righteousness of our own (Rom 5:19). Believing in Him, as the solution to our sin problem and rejoicing in our right standing with God — in Him who is seated at God’s right hand (Ps 110:1; Heb 1:3; 8:1) — we also have no fear of the Judgment Day.

The truth, the Spirit teaches about God’s judgment is that all authority and judgment have been entrusted to Jesus Christ, the King (Mt 28:18; Jn 5:22). Knowing the Judge of the whole earth is our God and Savior Jesus Christ, is comforting (Gen 18:25; 2 Pet 1:1). We gladly confess total depravity (Gen 6:5; Is 64:6; Jer 17:9; Rom 1:18–32; 3:10–12; 8:7; Eph 2:12) and rejoice in God our Savior (Titus 1:4; 2:13; 2 Pet 1:1). Sin results in death (Rom 6:23), which is followed by judgment (2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27) and eternal punishment in the fiery fell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). Jesus’ death on the cross, His blood shed, has released us from the consequences of sin (Rev 1:5).

With one’s sins forgiven (Eph 1:7), there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). We are safe from the righteous wrath of God in the shelter of Christ (Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10). In the world, while we remain, trouble visits us (Jn 16:33). The Spirit never leaves us nor forsakes us (Heb 13:5), but He does protect us from the evil one (Jn 17:15).

The things disclosed to Christians by the Spirit showing us the Word, can be found nowhere else (Jn 16:13–15). These things are what produce joy in our innermost being (Phil 2:2).

We overcome every trial and tribulation by faith (Heb 11). This is the victory declared in the presence of our enemies. God is always leading us by His Spirit, in the triumph of Jesus Christ on the cross (2 Cor 2:14). It is the fragrance of life to those who have Him as our hope and future. It remains the fragrance of death for those who are perishing.

My dear reader, God has many more things to say to us in Christ. These are not new revelations; but they are new illuminations from God’s Word. May God richly bless you, my dear reader, with an even brighter and clearer view to Jesus, by the gracious work of the Spirit and the Word. Everything He shows you in the Scripture sets you further apart from the empty deceptions of the world and all its vain philosophies. Instead, delight Yourself in the Lord…the truth.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

August 27, 2024

John 16:12–15